Victoza is the brand name used for liraglutide in Europe. This drug is the first human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 developed to be taken once per day in order to treat type 2 diabetes. It has only just received its approval for all of the states in the European Union for two uses:
Victoza is a new drug used for treating type 2 diabetes and has been found to promote weight loss in overweight and obese patients.
- As a treatment combined with metformin or one of the sulphonylureas among patients who suffer from a lack of glycemic control even after having tried the highest possible dose of metformin or sulphonylurea monotherapies.
- As a treatment combined with metformin and one of the sulphonylureas or metformin and one of the thiazolidinediones among patients who suffer from a lack of glycemic control even after having tried the dual therapy.
Clinical studies with Victoza that involved the participation of over 6,500 people suffering from type 2 diabetes demonstrated a notable decrease in blood glucose levels, allowing for weight loss without the a heightened risk of hypoglycemia. For this reason, it is now considered to be a beneficial type 2 diabetes treatment option and helps to further reduce the risks of the condition by allowing for weight loss.
The drug was first launched by Novo Nordisk – the manufacturer – within Germany, the United Kingdom, and Denmark during the summer of 2009, and throughout the second half of 2009 and throughout the year 2010 the drug will continue to be released throughout the rest of the European Union marketplaces.
The drug functions by only stimulating insulin release when the blood’s glucose levels are high enough to warrant its need. Weight loss is a very common side effect of this drug – one that is often considered very desirable, as one of the things that is most recommended to type 2 diabetes sufferers is weight loss in order to reduce the symptoms of their condition. It is believed that Victoza causes this weight loss because it decreases the speed at which gastric emptying occurs, so that the patient feels more satisfied after meals and for a longer period of time. The body naturally breaks down Victoza and does not need renal excretion for elimination.
Though the drug is not considered to be weight loss medication, it does include this side effect among one of the beneficial reactions that can occur when it is used in order to control type 2 diabetes – especially in cases where weight loss is recommended by the prescribing medical professional.
I have just started Victoza. I have not had the nausea and I am not tired… but I have experienced strong abdominal pains….. has anyone else experienced this and how long will it last? Other than that, I have noticed my appetite has significantly decreased!
I have been using Victoza for a wk now and Tuesday I started having some stomach pains. So bad that my stomach was destended. I just assume it is indigestion/gas. I have taken all kind of med to get rid of the pain. But its still there. Its not as big now so I know some of the gas has left. But Im not sure it is from the Victoza or just other things in my life going on right now. If it doesnt get any better in the next few days then I will stop using it and see what happens.
Hi Lesley,
I know it has been quite some time since you posted this, but I have just started taking Victoza (2 weeks now, 1st @ 0.6, 2nd @ 1.2) and am experiencing the distended stomach and indigestion/gas. Wondering how long these side effects will last.
Thanks.
~Ali
Hi there ..I have just started taking victoza (am in my 3rd week)and your symptoms are exactly like mine …I am struggling to carry on cos my blood sugar has dropped to an all time low (was 4.2 fasting this morning and I feel really iffy)I am also on metformin, glimepiride and pioglitizone)… I really think I should cut out some medication but I dont want to ask doctor incase he just stops the victoza and regardless of the uncomfortable feeling I am losing weight I am 75 years and obese
I had the stomach pains and was concerned because Victoza can cause pancreatitis. I told my doctor and he said that if it was pancreatitis, that I would be in much more pain right in my middle, which was not my case. These pains subsided but were very strong the first 10 days or so.
Not sure what was the cause of my stomach problems. But it got pretty bad where I was passing blood and ended up in the hospital. I had tests done and they cant say if it is colitis or something else. But I have stopped using Victoza and so far so good. But I think I will start it up again, one to see if that was the problem and 2 to continue with my weight loss. It was working!
yes you do cramp real bad and they last for like 3 days then youll be fine.
Hi Angel,have you checked your stomach??v causes thyroid Tumors as well pankreatitis…does anybody has made some experience with this side effects??
I am into my second week on victoza. My numbers are dropping, but I am very nauseated. I am on metformin and levimir besides. Is anyone else on that combo
I am the same meds as you are…I have not experienced
any side effects….except for the best one of all…
decreased appetite. Praying this helps with my weight control. My blood sugar dropped to 58 today though, so I need to call my endocrinologist to see about backing off on the Levemir. This is my 5th day on Victoza, I think the decreased food intake had caused the blood sugar drop.
I am use to having readings of 150-200 after meals, with my Levemir and Novolog and metformin, so I am very pleased with the shot so far. I was on 2 shots of Levemir twice daily-35 units ea and Novolog 3 x’s a day-8 units each time. Yes, 5 shots per day! When I get up to the .12 units daily I look forward to only having to take the Victoza shot, once daily. I feel like a pincushion….
Today is my first day on Victoza. I have a really bad headache and some nausea. I’ve been taking metformin and was just prescribed levimir. I have noticed that I am so full even though I haven’t eaten much today. I look forward to my numbers to steadily drop but when does the headache stop?
Taking my first dose now….Oh I hope this works!!!!
Wish me luck. I started this today for the first time. And I am also on metformin. I have read that with the combination of the two weight loss is great. I did eat before I took it cause of the metformin and so far so good. No sick feeling or anything yet. But I will keep everyone posted.
I was just given Victoza today….My doc stopped the glipizide….but continued the actos 15mg, lantus 42 units, and novolog (as needed)! My biggest problem is: Weight Gain and high glucose readings. I tried Byetta 5mg and 10mg and they both made me so sick that I couldn’t stand it….I tried wearing sea bands, taking Dramamine and Phenergran, plus really a really strong brand of ginger ale. It did lower my blood sugar, but when i took it i could do nothing else for at least a couple of hours, except lie down until the nausea subsided. So what I was wondering from former Byetta users: Does this new medicine make you feel as bad as Byetta did??? So that I can prepare for it in advance..lol!!!
I’m a nurse with PCOS, not diabetes. I work for an endocrinologist and she prescribed it to me for weight loss as well. I tried Byetta and was very nauseated. I have been on Victoza for 7 weeks and have lost 9 pounds. Never had nausea and I’m on 1.8mg and have been for quite a while now. But, I have been having headaches and my pressure has been up, no idea if it’s from this or not. I’m sure the headaches are in response to the pressure. Guess I’ll have to have a discussion with the doc.
I was also prescribed victoza for pcos. The first few days i had the stomach craping, but
have lost 5 pounds in about two weeks. I am also taking adipex appettite supressant prescribed by my doctor. I think it is working well. Let me know your progress.
I have been on Victoza 6 weeks and have lost 12 pounds. I was taking three pills of actos plus metamorphin and one pill of glymaprine. I have stopped taking the glymaprine and one pill of the actos plus metamorphin and my diabetes is under the best control in 5 years.
Started this a week ago, still on the lowest dose. No appetite which is ok by me, no nausea thank goodness but the stomach pains are very uncomfortable. Hoping this will evently go away as each day progresses.
My fasting numbers have gone from 230 – 260 in the mornings to 105!!!!! Not saying I’m not worried about the cancer risk but I have to put that in perspective. Anyone having diabetes is already at an increased risk of having some very scary health issues…heart attacks, strokes, blindness, renal failure. So my thoughts are if I can tolerate this drug and lower my numbers and the risk for other diabetes related health issues then I will continue to work hard on controlling my diabetes and have my doctor regularly check my thyroid.
i have been in Victoza for a month now I have lost 2 pounds and I am not experiancing any of the nausea or pain i quit takeing metformin as if made me physically sick throwing up and all all day and night for over two weeks and I was on this medication for over a year. then I was put on victoza alonmg with the glimperide and asprin. I love the medication I feel great.
Laura, I have been on it for about 3 weeks. I have had some stomach pains also. I take a Pepsid AC, and that has really helped. Also eating less helps. Or eating smaller meals more often. My numbers have gone down also, I feel like you, that I will take a chance with Victoza to get things under control.
Have been on Victoza for 1 month. Started on the 1.2 – I had horrible hunger pains all
of the time and my numbers were running higher than normal. Doc changed me to 1.8 – the
hunger pains have subsided for the most part but have been having lots of diareaha. Any
one else having this side affect?
Hi – I started Victoza today. After reading all of this info on this site, I’ll admit I am a little nervous. I was on byetta but it made me nauseous and I kept forgetting to take the 2nd shot of the day. I also take Janumet, lipitor and trilipix. My blood pressure is a little high, but I don’t take anything for that. I also take mobic for arthritis pain in my knees. The mobic does make me a little nauseous, but I just eat a cereal bar first. I generally dont’ nauseous from medications,but I do – I just have a gingerale or a tums and I am fine. I am hoping that I will lose weight with this so I can take some of the pressure off my knees. I’m going to keep track of how I do and keep reading the comments here.
Into week three. My levels are down, I have reduced my levemir from 60 to 45, and of course the humalog because I am eating almost nothing. I am losing weight, about 4 pounds in 2 and a half weeks. However, I am worried that I am not getting enough liquid. I try to sip things but the nausea is still fairly strong. The dose has been upped. I am determined to keep doing it for at least five weeks.
I had tried Byetta, this nausea is worse. However, Byetta would give me cravings for ice cream and other sweets. Victoza is definitely NOT doing that!
I just looked over the posts again. My doctor did not tell me to reduce my insulins. Maybe he just assumed an old dog like me would know. It was obvious by day 2 that I would have to. The hardest thing right now is injecting the humalog before the meal, and then part way through the meal be unable to finish the necessary carbs.
Starting my 0.2mg dose of Victosa tomorrow morning and I really
hope it helps me as well. So glad to hear a lot of people are
not experiencing any side effects or only minimally. I really
need to lose a lot of weight and hope this will help me. Also,
really glad to read all of your posts. I will write again and
let you know how I am doing. Hang in there everyone!!
I started Victoza about 4 days ago, and have lost 2 lbs. I have have not had any side effects except it leaving me with not wanting to eat. I have to force mysel to eat. Other than that I really like it.
I have been on Victoza for a little over a week now. I have already lost 7 pounds. I am not hungry at dinner time, so I just eat a tiny bit with my family. I have just switched to 1.2 mg 2 days ago and I am now having nausea. It will subside though, I am confident. I wish everyone well.
Three weeks on victoza as we gradually increase the dose. My appetite is zilch. The nausea always seems to be there in the background, although there are longer periods of time when I feel ok. I have lost 5 pounds now. I do not seem to have any energy, although my blood sugars are GREAT. I keep burping these little burps that taste like sulfur.
I am having the same symptoms. It seems like when I eat meat (red) I really have problems with nausea, etc. I am on week 1 1/2 on victoza, just increased to 1.8mg. Hope this subsides as my body gets more use to it!
I just started on the drug last night. I am having some slight abdominal discomfort. I need the help, my last A1C was 9.6. I’m on metformin, lantus insulin, glimeperide,and actos. I wish us all good luck with trying to control our disease.
I was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on Monday and was given Victoza and Metformin. Take .6 injection each morning then I am to up it to 1.6 after 1 week. I take the pill before bed. Having never been on anything else before for this condition I have nothing to compare it to. I have found I eat smaller portions and I do feel pretty good on it. Honestly I never felt bad before, but sugar levels don’t lie I guess. I have noticed a slight abdominal discomfort from time to time. No nausea. Hardest thing so far is learning to inject myself. The pen makes it easier, but it is still the thought I guess. Although it doesn’t hurt, I can see so many say they feel like a pin cushion. I am working hard at listening to the Dr, looking forward to the dietician and lifestyle educators explaining things. I feel pretty good about this new medication so far. Still learning about this so thank you all for your insight!
Man, Rick, I can’t imagine a doctor starting you on both those meds at the same time! It took me quite a while to adjust to metformin, but it was worth it. I just hope this Victoza works the same way.
went back to doctor for ck up from starting victoza and everything is good no side effects doct uped my dose to 1.2 for a few days then up to 1.8 im feeling really good loss of appetite and i get full really fast which is great and losingweight also i seem to have more energy than ever so far levels are running really good im really pleased with victoza so far hopefully the weight will keep comming off
I have been on the Victoza for a month today and have lost 6 pounds but see drastic differences in my body already. The sickness has faded drastically and I am taking 1.2 per day at night (best way to fend of the upset tummy). I am gradually weaning off of the Novolog and would be happy to keep on with the Victoza as long as needed! Wishing everyone success with this!
OH, by the way my sugars have not been over 100 since starting the Victoza-it is working!
Hi, I have been using Victoza for about 6 weeks and lost 4 pounds. First dose at 0.6 did not experience any side effects. second dose at 1.2 experience occasionlly nausea but when started the third dose 1.8 I could no tolerated the continuous nausea simptoms, I had to take a couple of days off from work. then I stopped taking victoza, call my Dr. and she suggested that I shoudl start with the lowest dose and keep injecting only the dose I could tolerate. I have also experience after six weeks that every time I inject the victoza hive/rush the size of a quarter apear in my stomach. Has any one experience this rushes? they don’t go away. I am a little dissapointed about the rush becouse is very unconfortable and itchy. I don’t have the energy That I used to have.
I am proned to having hives/allergic reactions, but surprisingly I haven’t with Victoza. Maybe if you switch injection sites?
I started victoza on April 8th. I have lost 10 pounds so far. At first I was fine. I increased my dose to 1.2 and I have been sick and weak ever since. My blood sugar has been below 100 and I have absolutely no appetite! And I was an eater! That’s how I became type2. Food used to dominate my life and now it just grosses me out. The only thing that isn’t pleasant about victoza is how crummy it makes me feel. But I will continue to take it. Good luck to everyone.
i have been on victoza shot for about 2 months along with metformin and glimipidze and i am on 1.8 mg i lost almost 7 lbs the first month and i will be back to weight next week but i have lost alot of inches i am very happy with this shot the only side effect is notting eat.. my levels are in the hundreds levels . my legs don;t hurt like they did . i feel great. be sure u checked your blood sugars in the morning they tend to drop at night. will let everyone know my results next week i call this is a liquid gold shot my husband leaves me with compliments everyday ..
I started Victoza on March 24 and I have lost a total of 12 pounds. I am also on Metformin, 1 pill at night 500 mg. My only side effect is that I’m constipated. I don’t know what to do. I have tried metamucil/sugar free,dulcolax stool softeners and laxative and still nothing. I have a bowel movement every 2-3 days which is not normal for me. I’m eating better than I have ever eaten in my life, more veggies and lean meats. My numbers are very good normally around 100-105. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Gwen. I think maybe increase water intake. I have same problem, but tend to go from constipated to real loose. Maybe try something like rasin bran for breakfast. Isn’t it amazing… to take this shot and have your number change in a day or too. My fasting used to be 130-150, now they are in the 90′s. I can’t wait to see my next A1C.
Have been taking Victoza for about a month. I experience nausea slightly in the mornings. It subsides by lunch. I hardly have an appetite and have lost 8lbs. I take Avandamet twice a day along with the Victoza and so for this combination is working great.
After 3 weeks I have lost 10 pounds, the tiredness, body aches and 98% of the nausea is gone. I do have to force myself to eat sometimes though and if I do have a wave of nausea I eat a couple of pretzels and I am fine.
If you are just starting Victoza, give it a chance, it does get better and it is SOOOO worth it..I believe in this medication.
Hello everyone,
I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a year ago and tried everything from gluberide to Jaunmet, nothing work..also my Thyroid was not working well, I was at 210 lbs two weeks ago, i weighed in at 200lbs, i lost about 9 lbs in two weeks with Victoza and Metformin combo, along with Synthroid..My doc told me about Byetta and Victoza, so I did some reading on both and went with Victoza, I am so glad i did, i had lost hope of ever losing the weight, the stomach pains are hunger pains, you have to eat something at least every 2-3 hours, and drink a LOT of water, that will help with that, i did have burping fest the first couple of days and it tasted gross, but that has since stopped, so this medication has really given me hope again..take care fellow type 2 people.
I’m on metformin, synthroid and victoza too and weighed 204 when i started on the 8th and I now weigh 193. I still have A LOT of burping going on! This stuff makes me really weak though. I can hardly eat so I wont be going to the gym anytime soon
or I will most likely pass out. I was on Byetta and didn’t lose a pound.
Tia,
I was put on Victoza on 6/16/10. I’ve only lost 2 pounds but at least I can see some weight loss. I also had mild stomach pains and just realized today that the pains are from hunger as it finally occurred to me that I needed to eat. Once I ate I had no pain. I love not feeling hungry all the time and can see how I will spend far less money on this than a lap-band.
I’ve been on Victoza for two weeks specifically for weight loss, as I only have insulin resistance and am on Metformin for that. Lost a pound, but am learning to eat more smaller meals. I’m up to 1.2mg now, and am hoping for a more decreased appetite.
I was just prescribed Victoza today. I will start it tomorrow when the pharmacy gets it. Reading all of these messages is helpful. The side affect really make me anxious… except for losing weight as it seems I keep gaining weight no matter what I do.
Pam, don’t be too freaked out by all teh messages. It really seems like side effects really vary. I have been on it a month and it really has not been too bad. Yes, I get stomach pains, especually if I eat a normal serving of food (I have really cut portions down) but taking a pecid Ac has really helped with that. I have had some nausea, but crackers help. I have lost 8 ish pounds so it is worth it. Good Luck!
Pat
Just took my first 0.6 dose yesterday. I was wondering if it is better to take it in the morning or at night. Would taking it at night be better so I could sleep through the naseau if I have it? Does takin it mornings keep down the hunger through the day?
L.
It seems like most people tolerate it better when taken at night. I did. I take it every night, right before supper. I really don’t think it makes a diffrent when you take it in reguards to hunger. For me, it keeps the hunger down all day. It does not seem to matter that I take it when I do. I just take it at that time becauise it is easy for me to remember to take it. I think that is the important part. Morning would be easy to remember also, but I think, but I tolerate it better later in the day.
So good luck. Let us know how you do!
Pat
L: I take my shot at 5:30 a.m. and I have had no side effects except constipation. I’m never hungry.
Hi, I’m a brand new Victoza user…today was my first injection. I have been a diabetic for over 30 years, the endos say I am a Type 1 1/2. I take Novolog and Lantus (total of 4 injections a day) and my bs have been horrible (over 500 two times last week). One more injection, if it works, will not bother me. We have tried adding diabetes pills…they don’t work for me. I tried Byetta when it first came out and I had nausea and bad stomach pains so my endo took me off. I am hoping that Victoza will bring my numbers down. Some loss of weight would be good, too. Cross your fingers for me. I need something to help.
And another question I have is: the longer you are on the medicine do you continue to lose weight?
L,
I take it at night before bed, my dr said that that is best so I sleep through the worst part of it (if I have problems) I am still not hungry even before bed the next night…Take it before bed and you will be fine.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
I have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and have been on Victoza for three weeks. I started with .6 mg and now take 1,2 mg. Always inject myself before I go to sleep, which is usually after midnight. Never felt any nausea. Just one night I woke up and had a terrible “chemical” taste in my mought. I also had a bit of constipation but now it all works like clockwork. I have lost 11 pounds and have absoluetly no appetite. I also have a lot more energy during the day and sleep much better at night. With Victoza my BS mornings and evenings is usually around 87. One night I forgot to inject and my sugar went straight back up to 120 the next morning. The injections were very difficult in the beginning I really had to force myself to push the needle in, even if it doesn´t hurt. But now I am getting used to it and consider myself lucky I don´t have to take any other meds. My doc gives me hope that if I lose enough weight I might be able to get of the meds alltogether. But there is so much weight to lose I will be grateful if I can even just get some if off.
Jasmine,
I’m so glad to hear from someone else who has (or had, anyway) trouble with the injections. You’re right in that it absolutely does not hurt. It’s just the idea that, due to my newfound status as a Type II sufferer, I now have to stick myself. My boyfriend says that I should just do it and not think about it. Of course that’s easy for him to say, but he’s absolutely right. I can’t wait till I can do this like a big girl!
I have been on this drug for 21 days and have already lost 10 pounds! After the first dose I had a headache. That was all. It lasted about three days. Once my body was adjusted to the meds I was fine. When I upped my dosage I had a headache for that day. The last time I upped my dosage to 1.8 and I had no side effects. I am never hungry so I have to force myself to eat(about every 3 to 4 hours). My fasting sugars before was from 230-260, now they are between 110-125. I am also on Avandamet twice a day.
I have been using Victoza for 12 days now and i have lost 6 pounds. The first week i was not hungry at all. Now on my 2nd week i feel a little bit more tired and with headaches but no nausea.
I have been taking Victoza for 5
weeks. Week 3 I started noticing
how tired I was getting. By 4th week no energy at all, went to get lab work . Turns out b-12 was
low, Now get b-12 shots regularly.
I, too, have been terribly tired. I finally began injectable B12. It seems to be helping.
I have been taking Victoza for 4 days now and have not had the nausea, but have experienced a loss in appetite. I am on Janumet as well as a bunch of other pills (had a heart attack 2 years ago). Hoping for the weight loss part of this. BS has gone down significantly the last two days. So far so good!
I’m 30, been type since 1998 and I don’t really take care of myself, at least up until this point. I constantly feel bad and I do let food control me. A friend of mine was just diagnosed and she was very overweight. She recently started Victoza, I mean within the last month or two, and told me she had dropped 42 pounds altogether. This gave me hope. I really want to do better but I don’t feel I have the power. I can do well for a week or two but it’s like my body says “Ok, we tried, how about that cheeseburger now?”
I just wanted to thank everyone for their posts and comments. I’m actually going to get to see my doctor today I hope and Victoza is in the question que!
Thanks to all and continued success to you!
Chris
I have been on Victoza for 1 week. Lost 4lbs and have has nausea, but its bearable. I was on Actos and the major side effect was weight gain. It felt like climbing a mountain to lose a pound.Thank god Im off that. My sugars are coming down – appetite is not strong. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works.
I have been on Victoza for 13 days now and have lost 12 lbs. I increased my dose after the first week and the oly side effects I’vehad is no appitite. I have to force myself to eat. Other than that I am liking it. I was diagnosed with Metabolic syndrome which is why I am taking it.
i have been on the 1.8dose now for almost 2 weeks now at firstthefirst dose of 1.8 after afew days working from1.2to1.8 igot really nausiated sothe next day icutback to a little more than 1.2and back to 1.8 a few days later and i was fine i do mine at 5 am and i have very little appetite wich is great and i feel really good since ive been on this also my levals are running 90 to 110 im on victoza to loose weight so far i love it who ever is starting this stick with it work your way up to full dose slowley and you wont get nausea give it time i love it so far so good
Hi All – Those of you that have mentioned stomach pains…I was warned that intense stomach pain is a symtom of pancreitasis. You need to let your doctor know, as it could be a serious issue if that is the problem
Best of luck to all.
I have been on Victoza for almost 2 weeks. I guess I have had most of the side effects that they mention. I have had the nausea, stomach cramps, and the worse headaches that I have ever had. I have also had some dizziness that the doctor thinks is related to the Victoza also. HOWEVER, on the bright side, my sugars have already dropped and I have lost 12 lbs so far!!! I read the response of taking the injection at night, and I am going to talk to my doctor and see if that would be an option for me. I am on the 1.2 dose right now and will stay there until my next round of blood work.
I started Victoza three days ago, and the last two nights I have had terrible stomach pains and gas all night. I’m determined to stick it out and try some strategies mentioned.
Hang in there-those symptoms get better, but it takes about 3 weeks or so. Try taking the shot at night.
Went to the Dr today for a follow-up, 1 month on Victoza, lost 16 pounds and that was with almost an entire week that I took a break (because of Easter and the initial nausea.) Feeling great, still a little tired but everything else is back to normal….except I’m eating much less and losing weight. right now I have nothing bad to say, the few little “irritations” that come with the initial use of this medication are a small price to pay for the results you get.
I started Victoza 4 days ago. The decreased appetite is wonderful. The only side effect so far is horrendous heart burn and slight nausea while cooking. The odd thing about the side effects are that I take my shot every morning at 7:00 and I do NOT have any side effects till around 6:00 or 7:00 at night!?!?!?was 205.2 four days ago today I am 199.2. I’ll take the side effects if the weight loss continues like this. lol
Good luck everyone!
I have had Type-2 for about 4 years know. My regular doctor kept just adding drugs and then said Insulin was the only next step. Decided to go see a Diabetes/Endocrine and that was the smartest thing I have every done to treat my Diabetes. Been on the Victoza for two days now and so far everything is just fine. No side effects at all other then an occasional very slight taste in my mouth. I hope this is finally an effective medicine.